potboy
Definition
Noun: A potboy is a male worker, typically in an inn, tavern, or public house, whose duties include serving drinks (especially ale or beer from pots or tankards) to customers and performing various general chores.
Usage
The term is historical and refers to a specific type of servant or attendant in a drinking establishment. It describes a junior male role focused on customer service and maintenance tasks. - The innkeeper shouted for the potboy to bring more ale to the table. - His first job as a young man was being a potboy at the local pub.
Advanced Usage
- The role of a potboy is often associated with pre-modern times, commonly featured in historical fiction or descriptions of traditional English pubs.
- The term emphasizes the manual and servile nature of the work, often involving fetching, carrying, and cleaning.
Variants and Related Words
- Potman (noun): A synonym for potboy, often used interchangeably, though it can imply a slightly more senior or general male attendant.
- Barmaid (noun): A female worker who serves drinks in a bar or pub.
- Barman (noun): A male worker who serves drinks in a bar or pub; a more modern equivalent.
- Tapster (noun): A historical term for a person who draws and serves ale or beer.
Synonyms
- Server
- Attendant
- Servant (in the context of an inn)
- Waiter (in a tavern context)
Related Phrases
- To call for the potboy: A historical phrase meaning to summon the attendant for service.
- The weary traveler called for the potboy to refill his tankard.
Noun
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a worker in an inn or public house who serves customers and does various chores
